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NanoHorizons Signs Exclusive Distribution Agreement
for Antimicrobial Fiber Additives
High-tech anti-odor polyester and cotton fabrics available only from ARC Outdoors;
ARC to launch E47 brand
State College, PA, July 27, 2005:
NanoHorizons, Inc. today announced that it has signed an exclusive multi-year, multi-million dollar distribution agreement with ARC Outdoors/ArcticShield® (ARC) covering nanoscale-engineered additives for fiber and fabric-based products. NanoHorizons will provide the technology that makes ARC's new antimicrobial E47 fabrics possible. NanoHorizons' agreement with ARC covers all antimicrobial fiber and fabric-based applications of NanoHorizons' additives.
Nanoscale Antimicrobial Properties
ARC has announced a line of fabrics utilizing NanoHorizons' additives to be sold under their new E47 brand name. E47 fibers and textiles are based on NanoHorizons E47 Polyester Master Compound and NanoHorizons E47 Cotton Additive. These nanoscale-engineered additives contain highly-specialized nanoparticles whose molecular designs enable them to permanently integrate antimicrobial properties into cotton and polyester products, without otherwise affecting the fundamental performance properties of the base fiber.
NanoHorizons will also be developing additional additives for other polymers, such as nylon and polypropylene.
Real-World Testing
NanoHorizons has taken a real-world approach to testing its products' effectiveness. To reflect every-day situations and real-world scenarios for active-wear, NanoHorizons has put its fibers through 6-hour effectiveness tests. These represent a more realistic time-frame than commonly quoted 24-hour tests, on which e47 also meets or exceeds industry expectations.. To ensure accurate testing, NanoHorizons has engaged NAMSA, an independent biomedical testing company. In NAMSA's independent tests, NanoHorizons' antimicrobial additives were exceptionally effective in controlling the common microbes diphtheria (corynebacterium diphtheriae) and staph (staphylococcus aureus).
Immediate Manufacturing and Availability
NanoHorizons has begun manufacturing industrial quantities of E47 Polyester Master Compound and E47 Cotton Additive in its new production facility in Pennsylvania, with first shipments of industrial quantities scheduled for delivery to ARC in August.
E47 will be the key technology ingredient in a new line of high-tech anti-odor apparel from ARC. ARC will integrate E47 fabrics into its own line of apparel, and will also be producing antimicrobial fabrics and yarns for sale to other manufacturers. To ensure quality and effectiveness, NanoHorizons will specify exact recipes used in the fiber and fabric production processes and test all E47 fabrics created.
"Our E47-based products raise the bar for performance apparel," said J. T. Griffin, CEO, ARC. "The outdoor recreation market has seen great advances in activity-related apparel over the last few years, but nothing compares to new nanotechnology-based capabilities, such as E47's anti-scent properties that are permanently integrated into the fibers of our garments."
"Both military and consumer suppliers have tried to integrate antimicrobial properties in apparel and gear," said Robert Burlinson, CEO, NanoHorizons. "Nothing we have seen on the market matches the durability, ease of use and low cost of our additives. Now the permanent integration of antimicrobial properties into a host of products and applications has become a reality."
For more information and to learn more about the science behind E47, please call NanoHorizons or visit the company's Web site at nanohorizons.com, or ARC Outdoors/ArcticShield® at www.arcoutdoors.com.
Additional information on E47 fibers and fabrics technology is available at: http://www.hartboillot.com/nh/fibers/e47.pdf
For background information about nanotechnology, please click on: http://www.hartboillot.com/nh/fibers/nanotech.pdf
About NanoHorizons, Inc.
NanoHorizons, Inc. was founded in 2002 by Dr. Stephen Fonash, founder and Director of the Penn State Center for Nanotechnology Education and Utilization. The company focuses on nanotechnology applications in the drug discovery, microelectronics and healthcare industries. The company has licensed a comprehensive portfolio of nanotechnology Intellectual Property from the Pennsylvania State University, and its research and development team continuously produces real-life solutions to key problems using applied nanotechnology.
NanoHorizons's products and application introductions include: QuickMass, which addresses the need for more cost effective pharmaceutical research and increased drug discovery capacity; the Postflex process for flexible displays, circuits and sensors on plastic; nano-materials for sensors for environmental control, respiration monitoring and medical diagnostics; and, commercially available noble-metal nanoparticle products. For more information, please visit nanohorizons.com.
Contacts:
Nicolas A. Boillot
Hart-Boillot, LLC
Dennis I. Schneider
NanoHorizons, Inc.
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